September 12, 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—After a solid 4-0-0 start, the Hobart College soccer team is ranked eighth in the nation and holds the top spot in the Northeast region, according to the weekly National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA) poll. The NSCAA rankings are voted on weekly by coaches across the country. The Statesmen were ranked 15th nationally and second regionally in last week’s census.

Led by seventh-year Head Coach Shawn Griffin, Hobart is off to its best start since the 1992 Statesmen won 15 straight to start the season. Last week, Hobart defeated RIT and Elmira to extend its winning streak to four. Eight different Statesmen have scored so far this season, with sophomore Dan Riso (Red Hook Central/Red Hook, N.Y.) (3 goals, 2 assists) and junior Tyler Webster (Acton-Boxboro/Acton, Mass.) (1 goal, 3 assists) leading the way.

On the defensive end, senior captain Jamie Smith (Cheshire/Cheshire, Conn.) and sophomore goalkeepers Pete Van Dellon (Webster Thomas/Webster, N.Y.) and Phil DaCosta (Manchester Memorial/Manchester, N.H.) have anchored a unit that has allowed just two goals in four games. Van Dellon has registered two shutouts.

Trinity (Texas), Messiah (Pa.), and Ohio Wesleyan hold the top three spots in the country this week.

The Statesmen will host Utica on Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m. on Cozzens Field.